Locations Visited On This Tour

Anyone who appreciates art and history should visit these fascinating cave temples hidden in a gigantic rock.

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress

One of the great Wonders Of The Ancient World requires a bit of climbing but has that ‘wow’ factor in abundance

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

The island’s No 1 visitor attraction is a very relaxed place to spend in the company of 70 elephants.

Beach Stay – Should You Choose The West Coast or East Coast?

From November to April, the West, South West and Deep South of the island experiences fine weather and calm seas. The tropical scenery and well established resorts make these areas popular even during the Summer months of July and August even though seas are slightly rough. You need to factor in a 5 or 6 hour long road journey to get to the South West beach resorts from Dambulla. The West Coast resort of Negombo is about 4 hours away if journey times are a major concern.

From May to October, the amazing East Coast beaches are among the finest in the entire world with shallow seas where you can just wade out for hundreds of feet into the sea! The East Coast resorts of Nilaveli and Pasikudah are easily reached within 1 or 2 hours of Dambulla so is ideal for a summer 2 Centre Holiday package that includes Dambulla.

The Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka is a beautiful location if you want to consider a 2 Centre Holiday option in the island. Firstly, the villages of Dambulla and Habarana have some of Sri Lanka’s best hotels, mostly situated in lovely forest and jungle settings, so you get a real ‘back-to-nature’ feel when staying there. Secondly, The Cultural Triangle contains some of the wonders of Asia, including the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and The Sigiriya Fortress, the island’s premier historic attractions. Those interested in wildlife can visit the jungles of Minneriya National Park, where huge herds of Elephants can be seen at various times of the year.

From the Cultural Triangle you can transfer south to a beach hotel of your choice while stopping to visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, which makes a welcome break en-route.

Recommended For: Anyone wishing to experience Sri Lanka’s culture and history combined with a beach stay.

When To Go?

This Tour Is Possible All Year Round

November-April

Clockwise Tour With South West Or Deep South Coast Beach Stay

May-September

Anti-Clockwise Tour With East Coast Beach Stay

Frequestly Asked Questions About This Tour?

How Much Travelling Is Involved?

Getting to Dambulla from the Airport is a 4 hour journey through prteey landscapes. Getting to the South West and Deep South beach resorts from Dambulla involves a few logistical issues regarding distance. Its best to stay a night at Colombo in between if at all possible.

What Is The Best Time To Go To Dambulla?

Dambulla has a good climate throughout the year. A Two Centre Holiday combining Dambulla with the East Coast is recommended during the summer season as the East Coast Resorts are easily accessible from Dambulla.

The wonderful Gathering of Elephants at the nearby Minneriya National Park also happens each year during July-Sept.

What Accommodation Options Are There At Dambulla?

Some of Sri Lanka’s best hotels are located among the jungles of Dambulla. Many resorts feature cottage style accommodation among extensive forested parks, so space is abundant. At the top end, Heritance Kandalama and Vil Uyana rule the roost but Amaya Lake, Cinnamon Lodge and Chaaya Village are all great 4/5 star options.

Is It Easy To Stay On The Deep South Beaches After This Tour?

It is possible but you need to include a stopover night along the way at Colombo as it is otherwise a 6 or 7 hour long road journey without stopping and not many people will want to do that while on holiday!

The Dambulla Golden Cave Temple

Elephant Back Ride At Habarana

Aliya Resort And Spa Restaurant

The Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Bullock Cart Ride At Hiriwadunna

Playing Among The Polonnaruwa Ruins

Restaurant At Heritance Kandalama

The Gathering Of Elephants At Minneriya

Eden Resort And Spa

Day 1 - DEPART UK

The flight from LHR to CMB takes approximately 10 hours.

Day 2 - COLOMBO

COLOMBO AIRPORT - DAMBULLA

80 Miles Approx 3.5 Hours

Relax On Arrival At Dambulla

Dambulla is an ideal resort to relax after your arrival in the island. Most hotels are located in serene jungle and forest environments and the surrounding landscapes are very pretty.

YOUR CHOICE OF HOTEL:

Luxury Hotels :

Heritance Kandalama

First Class Hotels :

Aliya Resort and Spa , Habarana

Special Choice :

Thilanka Resort And Spa , Dambulla

Day 3 - DAMBULLA

The Golden Cave Temple At Dambulla

The 5 Cave Temples Of Dambulla are a series of rock temples that have been hewn from a gigantic boulder that contain a very beautiful collection of sculptures, paintings and frescoes from various periods of the island’s history.

Cave No 2 – The Temple Of The Great Kings is the biggest and most spectacular cave temple with over 150 statues and 1500 paintings! The ceilings and walls are covered by the finest murals to be seen in Sri Lanka.

Elephant Back Ride At Habarana

One of the most popular activities at Habarana are elephant back rides through local villages and forests.

Day 4 – DAMBULLA

The Magnificent Sigiriya Rock Fortress

The amazing rock fortress of Sigiriya is often listed as 8th Wonder Of The Ancient World and is easily the most impressive historic sight in Sri Lanka. You enter through The Royal Pleasure Gardens with a series of ponds and landscaped terraces until the ascent of the rock fortress begins through a series of dramatic staircases.

Hidden half-way is a cave that reveals the Sigiriya Frescoes. This is Sri Lanka’s premier artistic treasure and is a must for all visitors. If you have a head for heights, you can reach the top via the gigantic Lions Paws, which are the remnants of a huge stone lion that used to guard the entrance. There are stunning views of the forested plains below from the top.

By Bullock Cart And Boat Ride To Hiriwadunna Village

Take a traditional Bullock Cart through rural lanes and vegetable farms to the idyllic village of Hiriwadunna.

A boat journey takes you through an amazing lotus-filled waterway where you can stop and visit a local farming village before exploring the huge Hiriwadunna Lake.

Day 5– DAMBULLA

The Ancient City Of Polonnaruwa

The Medieval capital of Polonnaruwa has the feeling of a city that was once ‘lost in the jungle’ – which indeed it was, until it was ‘rediscovered’ by colonial administrators in the 19th Century. Ruins of royal palaces, stupas and monasteries are scattered over several square kilometers around a vast lake known as the Sea Of Parakrama.

The Inner Quadrangle area of the ancient city contains the most exquisite historical remains in the whole of Sri Lanka. The highlight of any visit to Polonnaruwa is The Gal Vihare (Temple Of The Rock) consisting of 4 rock cut Buddhas that are among the masterpieces of Buddhist Art, and one of the world’s great artistic treasures.

By Private Jeep To See ‘The Gathering’ Of Wild Elephants At Minneriya National Park

One of the Great Sights Of The Natural World happens each year when huge herds of Asian Elephants gather by the large lakes of the Cultural Triangle during the Dry Season. Sometimes up to 300 elephants can be seen together – the largest number of wild elephants gathering in one place on the entire planet!

Best Time To Visit: Late July-September. Elephants can be seen in lesser numbers throughout the rest of the year.

Day 6 – TO SRI LANKA’S BEACHES

DAMBULLA – BEACH RESORTS

A Journey Of Approx 5 Hours

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage

Pinnawela is Sri Lanka’s most visited attraction, and provides a very relaxed place to spend a few hours watching elephants. It is home to the largest group of orphaned Elephants in the world! Most of the 70 animals have been found injured or abandoned in the wild.

Depending on the time of day, you can watch the little baby calves some only a few weeks old are fed by bottle and the whole herd is then bathed in the adjoining river. A not to be missed experience.

Sri Lanka’s Beach Resorts

A beach stay on Sri Lanka’s famous palm fringed coastline combined in addition to this tour will make for an excellent 2 week holiday on the island.

Terms and Conditions

• Private tour of Sri Lanka in an air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking driver/guide.

• All entry fees for places of interest as described in itinerary including jeep hire at national parks.

• Meal plan as stated.

EXCLUSIONS

• Flight and accommodation supplements may apply at peak periods.

• Beach stay at end of tour if required will be charged separately with options given.

OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS

• Children under 6 years of age sharing parents bed are given the land tour FREE OF CHARGE!!

• Special rates available for 2 adults and 1 child sharing triple room.

• Discounts available for families and groups.

TAILOR MADE ALTERATIONS

• You are welcome to suggest changes or alterations such as a more relaxed tour with fewer activities, additional nights at places that may interest you, and adventure activities like white-water rafting.

• Tell us about any special interests and we will incorporate them in to your tour schedule.

If you want to widen your choice of tour hotel options, go to our View All Hotels index and tell us the mix of hotel you wish to stay at? If you have chosen your own hotels, we will include these along with your quote request.

DISTANCES AND TRAVELLING TIMES

All distances are point to point and do not include stops for sightseeing en-route. Actual travelling times may vary according to traffic, local weather and other factors.

YOUR BEACH STAY

There are a large number of beach hotels featured on our website. You are welcome to browse the View All Beach Hotels index and ask for your own choice of beach hotel. Alternatively we will feature a standard set of 5 beach hotel options that we can personally recommend.

You are welcome to specify the actual number of beach nights you require - otherwise a 6 night beach stay is featured.

TOUR FORMAT

Unless specified, we usually feature the clockwise version of the tour, even for Summer Season enquiries, as the beach resorts on the South West and Deep South remain very popular at all times of the year. The East Coast is still regarded as a rather ‘adventurous’ destination.

If you request guaranteed fine weather, sea bathing, snorkelling or watersports, we will feature beach hotels located on the coast that is ‘in season’ at the time of your travel.

Get a Quote for "Dambulla And Sri Lanka’s Beaches"

To get more information about this tour, please contact us using the form below.

We Aim To Reply to You In Detail Within 12 Hours (8 am – 5 pm).

Note: If you want to contact us about a Tailor Made Tour or another holiday idea and not "Dambulla And Sri Lanka Beaches", please go to our Contact Page.

HOTELS FEATURED ON THIS TOUR

Aliya Resort and Spa

A modern, luxury nature-themed resort with lots of elephant (aliya) references. Chic interior design and a brilliantly thought out combination of a traditional village with upmarket features such as a huge swimming pool and a choice of fine dining restaurants.

Thilanka Resort And Spa

A lovely hotel with great design touches set in a huge forest of Mango Trees near to the Dambulla Cave Temples. There are views over rice fields and nature all around. Accommodation consists of 2 room blocks set within landscaped gardens.

Heritance Kandalama

One of the most famous hotels in Asia definitely has the "wow" factor in abundance. It's the location that brings out the best in Kandalama, built in a natural amphitheatre with rocky hills all around and the adjoining shimmering waters of the Kandalama Lake.

Elephant Island Tours is a truly customer focused organisation.Our first connect was with Justin in the London Office. He listened carefully to understand our particular needs and apparitions. We were most impressed by his speed of reply, helpful suggestions and advice. The tour fulfilled all our needs. You cannot overestimate the importance of the first contact - Thank you Justin.

The shop window of your organisation was our driver guide Mahendra. He proved to be very knowledgeable and a brilliant driver. He quickly became our friend. He was so helpful in all ways He never let us down. The car was more than adequate for our needs and always clean - Thank you Mahendra."

BY: Tony Powell

"I have just returned from a 2 week holiday in Sri Lanka where I booked a 6 day overland tour through Elephant Island.

Absolutely faultless. The detailed itinerary put together by Amanda at EI incorporated absolutely everything we wanted to do and gave us a fantastic overview of Sri Lanka, its culture, its wildlife and its history.

Our driver Rohan was exceptional. He drove us with care, explained everything in detail and offered us numerous additional stops for activities such as elephant rides, a look around Kandy market and a trip to Nuwara Eliya. I would make sure, next time I go to Sri Lanka, that I had Rohan driving me around.

If you're going to Sri Lanka you MUST book through EI! The whole process was so smooth and ensured that I had the most amazing time in what is surely one of the world's most beautiful countries."